Artwork by Rick Yates
- CAST -
Hannah Victoria as Bella
Training: Edge Hill University – BA Hons in Musical Theatre (2015-2018)
Credits include: Preacher in Bonnie & Clyde (Old Joint Stock Theatre, Birmingham), Anne of Cleves in Six The Musical (UK and International Tour), Gloria The Hippo in Madagascar The Musical (UK & International Tour), Gary Coleman in Avenue Q, Ronette in Little Shop of Horrors, Maggie Hill in Peaky Blinders; The Rise (Camden Garrison), Aladdin in Aladdin (Cheltenham Playhouse), Peaches in Billie The Kid (West End, Vaudeville Theatre). She would like to thank her family and friends for their support, encouragement and guidance throughout her career.
TikTok: hannah.victoria.sings
Instagram: Hannahvictor1a
Twitter: Hannahvictor1a
Alex Hargreaves as The Beast
Alex is an Actor, Musician, and Writer from Derbyshire.
He has previously worked with The Pantaloons, Archipelago Arts, Learning Through the Arts, Clio’s Company, Purple Cast Productions, and is a co-founder of Notice this Notice Theatre Company. Previous theatre credits include: Sense and Sensibility, Treasure Island, Pride and Prejudice, Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland, The Most Sensational Comedy of Dick Schwick, The Importance of Being Earnest, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Twelfth Night, and Macbeth. He is delighted to be joining The Albany this Winter!
Outside of acting, Alex also works as a composer and performs in two rock bands.
Aisha Taylor as Nigella
Aisha trained at The Manchester School of Theatre.
Her theatre credits include To kill a Mockingbird at the Royal Exchange Theatre and Alice in Wonderland at The Albany.
TV credits include Doctors (BBC) and Abbey Hatcher (Nick Jr).
Aisha is very excited to be returning to The Albany for Christmas this year.
Jack Andrews as Wheeliam
Jack is an actor and presenter, starting his career journey as the youngest ever Butlins Red Coat, which led to other superb shows such as Scooby Doo Live (OddPost), The Little Big Club / Little Big Adventure (Hit Entertainment), Zingzillas Tour (CBeebies) and the UK and Bahrain tour for the theatre production of BRAINIAC Live (Science abuse) previously on Sky 1.
He has presented at some renowned family festivals such as Gone Wild and Bestival, he is the main stage presenter and host for Gloworm festival and he has recently read for CBeebies Bedtime Stories.
His previous panto credits include Buttons in Cinderella and Wishee-Washee in Aladdin, both at the Walsall Arena and Arts Centre. He is absolutely delighted to be joining the wonderful cast and crew at the Albany Theatre, taking on the role of William/Wheeliam, and hopefully taking you all for a spin,whilst making you grin!
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Ellen Chivers as Queen Rajnhildre
Ellen is delighted to be performing at The Albany this Christmas.
Training : Arts Educational Schools London
Theatre credits include : The Jolly Christmas Postman (Royal & Derngate), Once the Musical (UK Tour), Swallows & Amazons (York Theatre Royal), Treasure Island (New Vic Stoke), Second Star to the Right (Royal & Derngate), Robin Hood & the Revolting Peasants (Oddsocks)
Screen credits include : Tesco Christmas – Happy Families (TVC), Bol – Spring Reset (TVC), Specsavers Idents – Emmerdale (TVC), John Lewis Idents – Homes on 4 (TVC), Maltesers Truffles (Online Commercial) Two’s a Crowd (Comedy Short)
Voice Over includes : Olbas ‘Achoose’ (Online), Golden Bear Toys (TVC), Leeds Building Society (Radio Ad) Casas del Parque Museum (Audio Guide)
Alice Orlik as Prunella
Alice is an actor-singer from Birmingham who trained at Associated Studios. She played Vivienne in her Graduate Show of Legally Blonde before going on to star in the critically acclaimed production of All My Pretty Ones at the Birmingham Rep.
Alongside her stage work, Alice has been recognised on the festival circuit, receiving two Best Actress nominations for her performances in short films.
This Christmas marks an exciting milestone as Alice makes her festive debut, playing Prunella in Beauty and the Beast at the Albany Theatre – a role she is especially proud to perform as a West Midlands native.
Dawn Butler as The Warrior Queen
Dawn is a West Midlands creative and has worked with such companies as Wolverhampton Arena, Hull Truck, Nottingham Playhouse and Birmingham Rep.
This year, her company Smiling Eyes Theatre received Arts Council funding to take her co-written play Honest Lies on a Midlands tour which came to the Albany in March. More recently she originated the role of Andie in Storehouse at Deptford’s Warehouse in London and completed filming on a series for HBO.
Other credits include Family Affairs (Channel 5) Crossroads, Emmerdale, DI Ray, The Bay (ITV) The Locksmith, Dangerfield, In a Land of Plenty, The Archers (BBC) Typist Artist Pirate King (BBC Films) and Dawn also played the semi-regular role of PC Pat Dyson in BBC’s Doctors for 7 years.
- COMMUNITY ENSEMBLE -
Eleanor Ashfield
Eleanor recently graduated from the University of Chichester Conservatoire, gaining a degree in Musical Theatre Cabaret.
This is Eleanor’s first production since graduating. Since graduating, she works with the company Step Into Schools as a dance teacher.
Morgan Blundell-Smith
Morgan Blundell-Smith is an MA Writing student at the University of Warwick. In her free time, she enjoys reading fantasy and mystery novels and working on her own stories.
Recent roles include: Cara (Fast) — Springboard Festival 2023, Hannah (The Welkin) — The Criterion Theatre, Tiny Tim/Ghost of Christmas Future (A Christmas Carol: a Fairytale) — The Criterion Theatre, and Maya (One Thousand and One) — Springboard Festival 2025. She is also looking forward to playing Rosie in The Unfriend at The Criterion Theatre in March.
David Molyneux
David is a professional services manager at the University of Warwick and is performing at the request of his wife and 7 year old daughter.
His last acting credit was in 1995 in the Woodles Middle School production of the Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe where he played Peter.
Anne Bevan
Anne is a retired primary school teacher.
Recent acting credits include ‘The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time’ (Criterion Theatre), ‘Shakespeare’s Quill’ (The Belgrade Over 60s Theatre Hub) and ‘The Great Middlemarch Mystery’ (Dash Arts).
She also performs Bible stories to school children as part of an ‘Open the Book’ team.
James Hunter
James is currently Head of Performing Arts at a school in Coventry. He is a graduate of Theatre and Professional Practice at Coventry University.
He has recently taken part in community theatre projects such as Belgrade Ensemble and ACT at the Albany Theatre.
Alex Shinnick
Training: Coventry University; East 15 Acting School
Alex is a Performing Arts Teacher and works as both an actor, director, and choreographer.
Previous theatre credits include: Carnival of the Animals (The Fabularium), War of the Worlds (Belgrade Theatre, as part of the Belgrade Ensemble), A Christmas Carol (M&M Theatrical Productions), Teatrino (Educo, Italy).
Alex is also a member of ACT (Albany Creates Together), the Albany Theatre’s new in-house community company, and will be directing their upcoming production of Frankenstein.
- Creative Team -
Director - Kitty Benford
Kitty Benford is a Northamptonshire-born and based director, and a current Generate Associate Artist at Royal & Derngate.
She specialises in co-creation and community-led performance, with nearly a decade of experience directing work with young people and large ensembles across the UK.
Recent directing credits include co-creating Acceptable Rebellion for the National Theatre’s Speak Up programme and Fantastic Foxes at Curve. Assistant Director credits include The Jolly Christmas Postman and Breaking the Code (Royal & Derngate), and A One Actor Hamlet (Regeneration Theatre).
Production Design and Assistant Director -
Abby Clarke
Abby is a theatre designer and maker from Coventry. She trained in Performance Design at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama, was a finalist at the 2024 Offie awards for both Set and Costume design for Unfortunate, was nominated as ‘Best Designer’ for the The Stage Debut Awards 2019, and was a finalist in the 2017 Linbury Prize for Stage Design.
Some of Abby’s design credits include: A Symphony of Flesh and Bones (Manchester International Festival), All Change (Imitating the Dog), Unfortunate – The Untold Story of Ursula the Sea Witch (Southwark Playhouse & National Tour), In the Ruins of the Big House (Factory International), The Jolly Christmas Postman (Royal and Derngate), Scissorhandz (Southwark Playhouse), The Owl Who Came for Christmas (Leicester Curve); Beauty and The Beast (Theatre By The Lake); As You Write It (Shakespeare North Playhouse); Abida Parveen (Manchester International Festival); Alphabus (Manchester International Festival); The Bear Who Went To War (Albany Theatre and regional tour).
Lighting Designer - Dan Tilley
Dan Tilley is a member of the Association of Production Lighting Designers and is represented by Red Talent Management
Lighting Design Credits include: “Alice in Wonderland” The Albany Theatre 2024 “The Bear That Went to War” The Albany Theatre 2024“Oliver Twist” The Albany Theatre 2023 “A Christmas Carol” The Albany Theatre 2021 and 2022, “The Snow Queen” The Albany Theatre 2020,”Peter Pan” The Albany Theatre 2019“Wind In The Willows” Gilbert and Sullivan’s “The Sorcerer” Castle Theatre 2017, Gilbert and Sullivan’s “ HMS Pinafore” Castle Theatre 2017, “Alice and Wonder land” Castle Theatre 2016, “Jurassic Adventure” UK National Tour, “So You Think Your A Super Hero” Castle Theatre 2015, “Holocaust Memories” Castle Theatre 2015.
Live music credits include: “Rock Your Age” Castle Theatre 2014, 2015 & 2016, “Dreadzone” Castle Theatre 2014 & 2016, “The Specials” Castle Theatre 2015, “Badmanners” Castle Theatre 2015 and Assistant LD for “The Selecta” Castle Theatre 2015.
Costume Supervisor and Maker - Anna Lewis
Anna Lewis is a professional prop, costume and set-designer/maker for theatre, film and TV, with nearly four decades of experience. Her theatre credits include The Song Contest (WNO), The Nutcracker and Romeo and Juliet (Birmingham Royal Ballet), The Tempest and Heritage (Belgrade Theatre), Judgement and Blood Brothers (Bill Kenwright), Spitting Image: The Idiots Assemble and The Exorcist (Birmingham Rep), as well as The Trinity Ruby (Ego Arts), The Spanish Golden Age (Bath Theatre Royal / Arcola), and Godiva Awake Olympics, plus work on Commonwealth and Children’s International Games opening and closing ceremonies.
Her film and television work includes prop and design roles on Mr Tumble’s Circus (BBC Worldwide), The Big Band (CBeebies), Nativity Rocks, and Shaun the Sheep (BBC Worldwide).
Anna has also won three national awards for costume design/make (in collaboration with Imagineer / Zandra Rhodes / Wayne Hemingway) and has created ceremonial and awards gowns — including the Coventry Lord Mayor’s robe (2020), Celtic dance costumes for Celtica, Sandra Godley’s gown at The Mobo Awards 2013 and supervised costumes for the Coventry City of Culture finale parade.
In addition to her theatre and screen-design work, Anna runs her own company, Nightshade Designs, through which she creates bespoke jewellery, gowns — including alternative bridal wear — and hats.
Costume Maker - George Egan
Composer - Robin Colyer
Robin is a sound designer, composer and musical director with a background in collaborative theatre-making. He trained at Guildford School of Acting and studied with celebrated bassist and composer Tony Osborne before embarking on a diverse career in theatre.
Alongside his theatre work, Robin is an experienced musician, performing with groups including Sol Samba, jazz trio Manouche Etcetera, Cuban-style big band Ran Kan Kan and salsa combo Mambo Tropical.
Sound design and composition credits include Breaking the Code (Royal & Derngate, Oxford Playhouse); Jack and the Beanstalk, Romeo & Juliet and Cinderella (Exeter Northcott); This Show is In My Head(Brighton Dome); Mariupol (The Cockpit); Dickens After Dark and Glacier (Old Fire Station); The King’s Speech and Much Ado About Nothing(Watermill Theatre). Other work includes immersive audio walking tours, voiceover production and podcast content www.robincolyeraudio.com
Choreographer - Stacey McCarthy
Stacey McCarthy is a choreographer, movement director, movement coach and practitioner. She trained at De Montfort University and graduated with a BA Hons in Dance in 2006. Stacey’s practice is rooted in Black and British Cultures exploring the use of storytelling through social dance genres.
Recent Theatre Credits for Choreography and Movement Direction include: Tortoise and Hare (Derby Theatre) ; Aliens Love Panta Claus (Curve Theatre); Indigo (Movement Coach, Curve Theatre); Chicken Licken (Derby Theatre/ Polka Theatre); The Jolly Christmas Postman (Royal & Derngate)
Social Media handles:
Instagram: @_staceymccarthy
Scenic Sewist - Ella Clarke
Ella is a Coventry-based designer and maker working across architecture, landscape and the arts.
Recent design credits include A Symphony of Flesh and Bones at Manchester International Festival; In the Ruins of the Big House for Factory International; Telling Stories, Making Memories at RHS Hampton Court.
Scenic Artist - Rachael Jacks
Rachael Jacks is a freelance Scenic Artist/Painter and Maker from the East Midlands, working across theatre and events industries, even award winning Scare Mazes at Alton Towers.
Before making scenic art her specialism she attended Nottingham Trent University studying Theatre Design, graduating with a 1st and awarded the Nottingham Playhouse prize for Design in 2014. She also leads student workshop projects at NTU introducing them to bringing sets and props to life.
Sound Design - Adam Blake
Adam Blake has been working at the Albany for 2 years. This year he is very excited to be the sound designer for the show. He hopes you all enjoy it just as much as he does. And by the way, Adam would like to make it clear that the producer is not his mum!
Creative Team Special Thanks…
Scenic Sewist - Becky Clarke
Costume Assistant - Chloe McConnell
James Tanton from the National Production Company for providing props
Claire Hardacre from the Royal and Derngate for providing kabuki drops
- Production Team -
Stage Manager - Abbie Drudge
Producer - Liz Blake
Liz is a neurodivergent, Warwickshire based multidisciplinary freelance creative. This year she has produced the Albany’s Arts Council project, resulting in two successful weekend long festival of arts, organising over a hundred workshops and facilitated a few groups, one of which helped the Albany win the ‘Carer Friendly Volunteer organisation of the year’.
When she is not at the Albany she is often found playing on stage, crossing swords as a medieval knight, or facilitating theatre and archery (though not at the same time).
She is thrilled to be producing Beauty and the Beast alongside such a fantastic team of creatives.
Production Electrician and Lighting Operator - Charlie Davies
Production Team Special Thanks...
Stage and Fly's - Adrian 'Febs' Fairbairn
Scenic Carpenters - Neil Plastow, Keith Williams, Hillary Folks, Ben Williams
Albany Theatre special thanks to...
The Albany Volunteer Team – the life and blood of the theatre and the Albany Technical Volunteer Team, the unseen beating heart of the Albany Theatre’s technical operation. Their dedication and hard work is a constant in our endeavours.
We at The Albany Theatre wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!